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Ghosty shifted from foot to foot as he waited by the edge of the crowd. Athena and Jamie said one of them would come and get him but...wary eyes glanced at the crowd of red and gold. That was a lot of people. His eyes turned back to the darken street on his other side. So much more quieter. He could just....go home? No, not yet. Back to the house lent to him. But he did promise Rae and the kids that he would come to the festival.
"What chya thinking about?"
Ghosty jumped slightly. "Athena!"
Athena giggled as they watched Ghosty process their presence. The gold on their dress glinted as they swished it back and forth. Allium, a sandy cat, mewed quietly in their arms. They giggled again and motion to follow them. "Come on! Jamie's saving our spots."
"Wai...wait for me."
The two weaved through the crowds of reds. Ghosty a few steps behind Athena. Voices piled on top of each other. Fire crackers popped randomly. Vendors called. Various animals cried about. It's so very loud!
"Athena! Ghosty!" Jamie waved them over to the side. The noise dimmed once passed the crates. Ghosty released a breath as Athena chatted away with Jamie. His fingers pressed against the cotton threads of his shirt. In and out. In and out.
"Oh, I almost forgot."
Ghosty jumped slightly as a pair of something squishy but firm pressed against his hand.
Jamie grinned, canine teeth out on display. "Rae asked me to make sure you get these." Ghosty observed the strange objects as Jamie continued to talk, gesturing to the set in their own ears. "Rae calls the ear plugs. It's designed to muffle noises but not all of it so you can still hear people talking to you."
"It needs a bit more tweaks." Athena interrupted with their own fanged smile. "But it works, well enough."
Everything muffled as he placed the ear plugs in place. The knot in his chest unraveled and warmth filled its place. Ghosty started to say his thanks when a collected voice cut through the air.
"Welcome, my people, welcome."
The regal voice echoed high above the stage. Up on a balcony of the palace stood Fire Lord Fable dressed in the brightest gold and crimson red. His crown glinted from the flames around the plaza. Arms raised wide. Fable continued to address the crowd.
"It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to our annual Creation festival. A reminder of our great nations birth and rise to power. How, even in times of war, our power reigns supreme."
Something tangled themselves together in Ghosty's chest as a cheer came from the crowds. Jamie and Athena shifted uncomfortably as the Fire Lord spoke again.
"Though the spirits and dragons of old have changed their mindset towards hatred and greed, we do not forget how they once joined forces to create our great nation. And to honor this memory I present" Fable gestured to the stage below him as two familiar figures walked on. "The princes of the Fire Nation!"
The crowd quieted down as the brothers stood across the stage, Rae to the left Icarus on the right. Light nearly blinding from the white and gold ceremonial outfits. Quiet pressed against the air. People leaned forward as the brothers bowed first to the Fire Lord, then stood at attention.
Icarus moved first, each movement firm and powerful, their steps tied to each drum beat that struck. Their golden fire quick to follow.
Rae mirrored not long after. His more fluid, floaty with the flutes. Purple flames almost tied to his hands like ribbons.
The two wound around each other slowly. Gold and purple weaved together to separate mere moments later. Round the stage till they reached the opposite point of where they started. Heads bowed low as the music paused.
To explode into movement as the music swelled again. Faster. Faster. Faster. Flipping over the other. Fire inches behind or ahead. Back to back. Separate again. Heat pressed close. Pulled away. Dragon shapes formed. And dispersed.
Until the music slowed again, their movements matched the tempo. Fire kept low as sweeping up the stage. Rae and Icarus ended back to back near the center of the stage. Hands clapped above their heads as the flames engulfed them.
Silence stretched over the crowd, even the crickets remained quiet as if even they didn't dare break the spell the brothers wove. Then a small clap, followed by another, and another. A cascade of sound crashed over Ghosty. He joined. Eyes caught the wide smile on both of their faces. The rare moment where Rae and Icarus weren't just royals, simply just brothers.
Til Fire Lord Fable walked up behind them. Ghosty frowned at the muffled jump from Rae. A murmured conversation. Rae shrunk. Icarus stiffened. Both brothers bowed their head and left the stage in opposite directions.
Ghosty glanced around the crowd. Many had already left. Excitement radiated off in quick conversations and wide gestures. No one noticed the last few minutes.
"I... have to go." Athena fidgeted. He glanced quickly where Icarus left then down to the ground. "I'm need to help with the Fire Lord's feast."
"Oh. Okay."
Jamie lightly touched his arm, a small purple flower held in the other. "Stay safe okay?"
"I'll be okay." Athena tucked the flower in his hair. "Icarus will keep an eye on me."
He waved and rushed away. Jamie and Ghosty shared a look. "Are they..."
Jamie looked back towards where Athena disappeared, right where Rae poked out his head. "I don't know."
Rae smiled slightly as he approached. But it slowly dropped the closer he got. "Athena left already?"
Jamie nodded. "They said that they needed to help with the feast."
Rae frowned. "I thought.... Icarus said earlier that they gave Athena the day off like usual."
Ghosty shifted as worry radiated off the two. Something heavy, suffocating, hidden in words unspoken. Words Ghosty didn't know how to read.
He cleared his throat. "Maybe something came up they needed help with."
"Maybe." Rae replied. Eyes drifted back towards the palace. Hands reached up, tucking a stray black hair behind his ear. "Fable has been summoning them for meetings more often."
But Ghosty noticed how they both shifted on their feet. Eyes everywhere but him. They didn't believe it.
Ghosty didn't like that look of worry etched on their faces, Rae's especially. He already does so much for the people. For Jamie and Athena. For him. His hands drifted up to the ear plugs. Maybe he can help him relax. Just for tonight.
"You know, it has been awhile since I last been to a Fire Nation festival." He motioned to the booths behind him. "Maybe we can get something to give to Athena later?"
Jamie beamed at the idea. Rae tilted his head. "That....sounds alright."
Jamie bounced on the front of their paws. "We can look for Alliums!"
Rae chuckled. "I think I saw some Dragon's breath cookies earlier."
Ghosty and Rae jerked forward as Jamie yanked on their arms. "Come on. Let's go grab some before they sell out."
Ghosty laughed as the crowd swallowed them again. Whatever is going on he's going to help. He won't loose his happiness again.